Toilet cap

ABSTRACT

A toilet cover for a toilet securement is disclosed. An example method for covering a toilet securement includes providing a shell member to fit over the toilet securement. The method also includes providing a decorative component on the shell member. The method also includes providing an air freshener compartment as part of the shell member or decorative component.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/433,571 titled “Toilet Bowl Decorative Stamp” of Ramona Leonida,filed Jan. 18, 2011, hereby incorporated herein by reference as thoughfully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Toilets are typically secured to the bathroom floor using securementmeans, such as bolts and nuts. The bolts and nuts can be unsightly andcan detract from the décor of the bathroom. In addition, the bolts andnuts may rust if exposed to water or cleaning fluids (e.g., fromcleaning the toilet or bathroom floor).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a toilet as it may be secured to a floor, wherein (a) showsan example toilet cap as it may be used to cover a toilet securement,and (b) shows the example toilet cap on the toilet securement.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example toilet cap, wherein (a) is afront perspective view, and (b) is a side cutaway view taken along lines2 a-2 a in FIG. 2( a).

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of another example toilet cap.

FIG. 4 is a partial front plan view of another example toilet cap,wherein an air freshener fits inside a frame member.

FIG. 5 are side cutaway views showing example connections for a toiletcap, wherein (a) shows interference strips, (b) shows a screw lock, and(c) shows a push tab.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of a decorativetoilet cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Toilets are typically secured to the bathroom floor using securementmeans, such as bolts and nuts. The bolts and nuts can be unsightly andcan detract from the décor of the bathroom. The bolts and nuts may rustif subject to water. Plastic bolt covers may be provided to hide and/orprotect the bolts and nuts. But these offer no aesthetic appeal.

A toilet cover for a toilet securement is disclosed. An example methodfor covering a toilet securement includes providing a shell member tofit over the toilet securement. The method also includes providing adecorative component on the shell member. The method also includesproviding an air freshener compartment as part of the shell member ordecorative component.

An example toilet cap includes a shell member sized to fit over a toiletsecurement. The toilet cap also includes a decorative componentconnected to the shell member. The toilet cap also includes an airfreshener compartment formed as an integral part of the shell member ordecorative component.

In another example, the toilet cap may also include an integrated lightsource. Accordingly, the toilet cap enhances aesthetics in the bathroomby hiding or concealing the securement means (or the plastic boltcover), enhances air freshness, and/or provides a source of illuminationin the bathroom. All of these features are realized by a single devicethat does not take up space in the electrical outlet in the bathroom.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes”and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including”and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on”means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIG. 1 shows a toilet 2 as it may be secured to a floor 4, wherein (a)shows an example toilet cap 10 as it may be used to cover toiletsecurement 6, and (b) shows the example toilet cap 10 on the toiletsecurement 6. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an example toilet cap,wherein (a) is a front perspective view, and (b) is a side cutaway viewtaken along lines 2 a-2 a in FIG. 2( a).

The toilet cap 10 includes a shell member 12 sized to fit over thetoilet securement 6, and a decorative component 14 connected to theshell member 12. The decorative component 14 is shown as it may have aflower design. However, other designs are also contemplated. Forexample, the decorative component 14 may have an animal design (e.g.,bear, dog, etc.), a sport design (e.g., soccer ball, football, hockeystick), a logo design (e.g., sports team logo), a holiday design(Christmas, Halloween), a seasonal design (e.g., winter, summer), a cardesign (e.g., for boy's bathrooms), princess or castle design (e.g., forgirl's bathrooms). The example designs listed above are merelyillustrative of the numerous designs that may be used for the decorativecomponent 14.

The decorative component 14 may be made of any suitable material, suchas glass, plastic, or acrylic. The material may be clear, colored and/ormay be painted. The decorative component 14 may also be other materials,such as fabrics (e.g., for the flower petals), jewels, etc.

The shell member 12 may be sized and shaped to fit over any suitabletoilet securement 6. In FIG. 1, the toilet cap 10 is shown as it may beprovided on a plastic bolt cover on the toilet 2. In this example, theinterior of the shell member 12 may be at least partially hollow andsized and shaped to substantially mate with the exterior of the plasticbolt cover. In an example, the shell member 12 is readily removed fromthe toilet securement 6, e.g., to change out with another design and/orfor cleaning.

It is noted, however, that the toilet cap 10 is not limited to use withany particular type, size, or shape, of the toilet securement 6. Forexample, the toilet cap 10 may be provided directly on the bolt and/ornut. In such an example, the toilet cap 10 may be sized and shaped so asto substantially mate with the bolt and/or nut such that the toilet cap10 can accommodate the toilet securement 6.

The shell member 12 may also be configured to at least partially rotateor pivot about the toilet securement 6, for example, as illustrated byarrows 11 in FIG. 1 b. Such a configuration enables the toilet cap 10 tobe inserted onto the toilet securement 6 in any suitable direction, andthen adjusted so that the decorative component 14 can be best viewed bythe user.

The toilet cap 10 also includes an air freshener compartment 16 (seee.g., FIG. 2 b) configured to receive an air freshener 18, asillustrated by arrow 19 in FIG. 2 b. The air freshener 18 may be a gelstick, oil, or other air freshener. The air freshener 18 may also be apowered-scent-release air freshener, e.g., by providing a battery tostimulate release of the air freshening scent. Openings may be providedin the decorative component 14 (e.g., in the middle part of the flowerdesign) for releasing the air freshening scent into the surrounding air.

The air freshener compartment 16 may be formed as an integral part ofthe shell member 12 and/or decorative component 14. For purposes ofillustration, the air freshener compartment 16 is shown in FIG. 2 b inthe decorative component 14. However, the air freshener compartment 16may also be provided with the shell member 12.

The toilet cap 10 may also include a light 20. In an example, the light20 is provided as an integral part of the shell member 12 or decorativecomponent 14. For purposes of illustration, the light 20 is shown as itmay be mounted to the shell 12. However, the light 20 may also beprovided with the decorative component 14. The light 20 may be anelectric light, e.g., powered by a battery 21. Or the light 20 may be anon-electric light, e.g., a fluorescent component that is activated bythe bathroom light and then fluoresces in the dark. The light 20 may beconcealed, e.g., behind the flower design. A separate chamber (notshown) may also be provided for the light. For example, the light 20 maybe provided within the shell 12 to emit light through a clear lens ortranslucent portion. The light may also be integrated into the design ofthe decorative component 14 (e.g., as a headlight on a car design).

The light 20 may also be automatically activated using suitable sensors(e.g., activated by movement and/or darkness).

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described aboveare provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to belimiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized.

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of another example toilet cap 10′. Likereference numbers in this embodiment are indicated by the prime 0 forcorresponding elements already described, and may not be described againfor FIG. 3.

In this example, the decorative component 14′ is a flower facing upward,e.g., toward the bathroom ceiling. The light 20′ may be provided in thecenter portion (stigma) of the flower design. The light 20′ may also bemade to look more like a stigma and less like a light, e.g., byproviding a semi-spherical lens (not shown) over the light 20′. It isnoted that the examples shown and described herein are merelyillustrative and not intended to be limiting. Any suitable design andconfiguration of those designs may be utilized based on considerationssuch as, but not limited to marketing, cost of manufacture, and userdesires.

FIG. 4 is a partial front plan view of another example toilet cap 10″,wherein the air freshener 18″ fits inside a frame member 15″ of thedecorative component 14″. For example, the frame member 15″ may includea double sided, spaced-apart, flat flower design, wherein the airfreshener 18″ slides in between the two sides 15 a″ and 15 b″. Other airfreshener compartments are also contemplated. Again, like referencenumbers in this embodiment are indicated by the double-prime (″) forcorresponding elements already described, and may not be described againfor FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 are side cutaway views showing example connections for a toiletcap 10, wherein (a) shows interference strips 22 a-c, (b) shows a screwlock 24, and (c) shows a push tab 26. The connection may be provided onthe shell member 12 and may be used to fasten the shell member 12 to thetoilet securement 6 (not shown in FIG. 5).

The connection may engage the toilet securement 6 with sufficient forceso that the toilet cap 10 does not readily fall off of the toiletsecurement 6, for example, when kicked or bumped during cleaning.

By way of illustration, the interference strips 22 a-c may be rubber,VELCRO® or other frictional-based material that forms a frictionalengagement between the shell member 12 and the toilet securement 6.

Also by way of illustration, the screw lock 24 (or locks, not shown) maybe rotated (as illustrated by arrows 25) through a thread formed in theshell member 12 to tighten against the toilet securement 6.

By way of further illustration, the push tab 26 operates according to asimilar principle as the interference strips 22 a-c and screw lock 24,but slides in the directions of arrow 27 through a slotted opening 28formed through the shell member 12 and into place against the toiletsecurement 6 to tighten the shell member 12 against the toiletsecurement 6 without the user having to rotate a screw head. The pushtab 26 can then be withdrawn to loosen the shell member 12 from thetoilet securement 6 so that the toilet cap 10 can be readily removed.

Still other examples of connections are also contemplated, which may beprovided to engage the toilet cap 10 to the toilet securement 6.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of a decorativetoilet cap 110. Like reference numbers in this embodiment are indicatedby 100-series for corresponding elements already described. It can beseen in this example that the shell member 112 and the decorativecomponent 114 are integrally formed (i.e., as a unitary structure). Itcan also be seen that a jewel is provided for both decorative purposesand as a lens to let light be emitted from an internal lamp. Althoughnot visible in FIG. 6, the toilet cap 110 may also include a pocket orcompartment for receiving an air freshener.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided forpurposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Stillother examples are also contemplated.

1. A method covering a toilet securement, comprising: providing a shellmember to fit over the toilet securement; providing a decorativecomponent on the shell member; and providing an air freshenercompartment as part of the shell member or decorative component.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising providing a light as part of theshell member or decorative component.
 3. The method of claim 1, furtherwherein the light is battery operated and automatically activated basedon a predetermined light threshold.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe air freshener compartment is formed in a frame of the decorativecomponent.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing aconnection to fasten the shell member to the toilet securement.
 6. Atoilet cap comprising: a shell member sized to fit over a toiletsecurement; a decorative component connected to the shell member; and anair freshener compartment formed as an integral part of the shell memberor decorative component.
 7. The toilet cap of claim 6, furthercomprising an electric light formed as an integral part of the shellmember or decorative component.
 8. The toilet cap of claim 6, whereinthe shell member is pivotable on the toilet securement.
 9. The toiletcap of claim 6, wherein the shell member includes a mating portion sizedto engage the toilet securement.
 10. The toilet cap of claim 9, whereinthe mating portion is shaped to engage the toilet securement provided asa bolt or nut.
 11. The toilet cap of claim 9, wherein the mating portionis shaped to engage the toilet securement provided as a plastic boltcover.
 12. The toilet cap of claim 6, further comprising a connection tofasten the shell member to the toilet securement.
 13. The toilet cap ofclaim 6, wherein the connection comprises at least one interferencemember.
 14. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein the connection comprisesat least one screw lock.
 15. The toilet cap of claim 6, wherein theconnection comprises at least one push tab.
 16. The toilet cap of claim6, wherein the connection engages the toilet securement.
 17. A toiletcap for covering a toilet securement, comprising: shell means forfitting over the toilet securement; decorating means for the shellmember; and air freshening means in the shell means or decorating means.18. The toilet cap of claim 17, further comprising lighting means on theshell means.
 19. The toilet cap of claim 17, further comprisingconnection means for engaging the shell means to the toilet securement.20. The toilet cap of claim 17, further comprising connection means forengaging the shell means on a bolt cover for the toilet securement.